Purpose

Transtelephonic monitoring is useful for two types of patients:

Pacemaker / ICD Patients. The TTM can be used by patients with a cardiac pacemaker or internal cardioverter defibrillato to perform regular check-ups over the phone. This allows the doctor to monitor the patient’s heart activity remotely and at the patient’s convenience.

Patients with infrequently-occurring arrhythmias. Patients who experience symptoms of arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) which occur too infrequently to be picked up by a standard echocardiogram (EKG) or other type of ambulatory monitor may be advised to use a transtelephonic monitor. The TTM is given to the patient for a long period of time (typically one month), and the patient activates the device when symptoms are occurring. Symptoms of arrhythmia may include dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath or heart palpitations.

Procedure

A transtelephonic monitor is a small electronic device used to record a patient’s heart rhythm. Unlike other ambulatory monitors, the transtelephonic monitor (TTM) does not continuously record the heart rhythm over a short period of time. Instead, it is given to the patient for an extended period of time (weeks to months) and activated by the patient at the push of a button. The data from the TTM is then transmitted to our office.